June - 2006 Speakers reflect North American

CONNECTING AND IN- FORMING GAY, LESBIAN, diversity at ecumenical queer BISEXUAL, AND TRANS- GENDER PEOPLE AND THEIR FRIENDS ACROSS conference THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA. rganizers of the first‐ever Sants, a Latvian Lutheran psychologist will WORKING FOR JUSTICE ecumenical queer conference of invite conference attendees to “claim the AND FULL PARTCIPATION its kind recently announced the future” as they discuss the future LGBT OF PEOPLE OF ALL SEX- UAL ORIENTATIONS AND event’s keynote speakers. Irene communities face in North America and OMonroe, an African American lesbian beyond. GENDER IDENTITIES IN THE UNITED minister and theologian from Harvard, and “The size of this conference, as well as CHURCH AND Martin Brokenleg, a gay Aboriginal the diversity and creativity of the planning THE WORLD. professor at Vancouver School of Theology, group, offers everyone the chance to find will address attendees at the Together in connection, involvement, fun, and Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit rejuvenation,” noted co‐chair Shannon INSIDE THIS conference this summer. Neufeldt. “It will all be held together with ISSUE Monroe is a religious columnist and the spirit of mutuality and receptivity for motivational speaker. Her articles have which the event is named.” appeared in the The Advocate, The Boston More than two dozen workshops on 2 Reflections from the co-chairs Globe, and Venus Magazine. Brokenleg has subjects ranging from spirituality to co‐authored several books and has activism to the particular experiences of 4 Affirming ministries extensive experience in teaching religious, transgender persons, youth, and ex‐gay news: Four more United gender, and Native youth studies. Monroe survivors (people who were formerly Church ministries become and Brokenleg will speak during the members of “ex‐gay” organizations) are Affirming conference’s opening and closing plenary included in the conference programming. sessions. Together in Toronto: Claiming an 6 Metropolitan United “I am extremely excited by the keynote Open Spirit takes place at the University of celebrates 7 years and speakers who will bring a truly North Toronto from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, Glen Rhodes cele- American theological and spiritual July 30, 2006. It is sponsored by three brates perspective to our conference,” said lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer 10 years as Affirming conference co‐chair Ralph Wushke. and allied organizations from Christian congregations Other plenary sessions will include a faith traditions: Affirm United/S’affirmer 7 Reflections on same- tri‐perspective with Mennonite Anita Fast, ensemble (United Church of Canada), the sex marriage United Church New Testament scholar Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian Karen Williams, and Lutheran David Wiess, Gay Bisexual Transgender Interests (BMC), 8 Transgender issues who will lead discussions on queer readings and Lutherans Concerned/North America of scripture. Provocateurs Cheri DiNovo, (LC/NA). Over 400 people spanning a 10 Membership renewal the “radical reverend from Toronto,” Katie variety of gender identities, sexual Hochstedler, a Bretheren Mennonite orientations, ages, abilities, and ethno‐ 11 Affirm United leader- Council youth from Minneapolis, and Maris cultural diversities are expected to attend.

P.O. Box 57057 Somerset Stn. Ottawa, ON K1R 1A1 www.affirmunited.ca INSIDE consensus

♦ Consensus is the newsletter of Affirm United, an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, Reflections at Eastertide and transgender people and their friends within The United Church of Canada. Opinions expressed are those s we near the end of to the walker on the shore. of the authors and do not necessarily Eastertide, the liturgical As we make plans to gather reflect the views of Affirm United. Your time between Easter and together in Toronto, may we prepare news stories, articles, and letters are Pentecost, it seems fitting to in this season of Eastertide, by always welcome. Consensus considerA the tidal qualities of our continually opening ourselves to a God reserves the right to edit for length, clarity or style. resurrection faith. For resurrection who changes us, surprises us, informs faith brings surprises, laying them us, beckons and draws us. May it be so Send to; before us as though they were dropped within us, among us and beyond us! by an outgoing tide. Its offerings Amen. [email protected] connect us with people in far‐off Consensus places; its gifts include living things, On a personal note 1120 Moselle Cresc. such as hope and love. Sally Harris and Wilson MacLennan, Ottawa, ON It breaks upon us as waters upon Affirm United / S’affirmer ensemble K1C 2T2 the shore, moulding and shaping. co‐chairs, are pleased that Wilson has 613-841-2354 Sometimes it smoothes our rough and relocated from Winnipeg to Edmonton, jagged edges and at other times it pulls which means he is closer to the west Contributors to this issue: at us to expose new sharpness. It coast. This move also means that the Edward Avey, Ruth Bramham, Malcolm uncovers what has previously been National Council has a council mem‐ Campbell, Ann B. Day, Ken Delisle, Gra- hidden. For faith reminds us of Godʹs ber living in Alberta. Wilson looks ham Down, Donna E. Enberg, Sally Harris, compassion; Godʹs grace, both ever in forward to working closely with Eldon Hay, Anne Hebb, Wilson MacLen- motion as the sea, both ever present Affirm United members and with The nan, whether we are at high or low points United Church of Canada in Alberta Bob Martyn, Ralph Carl Wushke in our lives. Faith constantly beckons. and Northwest Conference. It seems to stretch toward us as the Managing Editor: Alyson Huntly See you in Toronto! Editors: Péter Balogh, Andrea Nugent, waters of a new‐broken wave reach out D’thea Webster Layout: Colleen Adair Design: JAC Design Interfaith Conference— Transforming Faith: A Transgender Witness Oct. 21-22 First United Methodist Church, Corvallis, OR

Brought to you by I have just finished The Community of Welcoming Congregations and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies.

reading. . . Featuring keynote speaker Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and plenary speakers Erin Swenson, the November 2005 issue. I will be passing around the Malcolm Himschoot, and Justin Tanis, Eldon Hay article [Some congregations are raising fences and Saturday evening concert with against same‐sex marriage, p. 10], as we too are in the gospel choir Transcendence.

process of ʺmarriage policy.ʺ Thanks for a great issue. Registration will open soon. I know how hard it is to get material in and then to Stay tuned for more details. create such a masterpiece. Keep up the good work. Contact Tara Wilkins, Executive Director of The Community of Welcoming Congregations Edward Avey ([email protected]) if you want to lead a workshop or volunteer. Dashwood, Ontario

2 consensus spring 2006 Together in Toronto sure to entertain

s anticipation builds, organizers say Together participants can enjoy the university campus with its in Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit promises many Oxford‐like colleges and quadrangles or visit to offer something for everyone through its Church Street, just a few blocks away, to experience tantalizing array of activities and options. The Toronto’s version of The Castro. conferenceA will be diverse and creative as participants Running concurrently with the conference is the claim an open Spirit as God’s people who are lesbian, Together in Toronto: Film Festival presenting recent and gay, bisexual, transgendered, historical documentaries and allied or in any way queer. Affirm United’s feature films, including the And it’s not all work and no Annual General Meeting ground‐breaking 1965 gay play. Beyond the daily love classic, Winter Kept Us plenary sessions and work‐ will take place Warm, filmed on the shops, organizers have Friday July 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m. University of Toronto campus. planned activities and events Childcare and youth as diverse as the conference and Saturday July 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m. programming will be goers themselves. provided during program Together in Toronto offers participants the sessions. opportunity to meet queer Christians and allies from Annual business sessions for Affirm United/ other traditions. For Affirm United/S’affirmer ensemble S’affirmer ensemble, Lutherans Concerned/North members and other Canadians, this will be a unique America, and the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT opportunity to gather withLutherans Concerned/ North Interests will also be held during Together in Toronto. America, as well as Brethren and Mennonites from all Affirm United’s Annual General Meeting will take place over North America. in two sessions: Friday July 28, 1:00‐3:00 p.m. and Participants can sign up for an Open Spirit Forum Saturday July 29, 1:00‐3:00 p.m. when they register. There are forums for many groups: For more information and to register visit: ethno‐culturally identified persons, queer seniors, fami‐ http://www.openspirit.ca lies of LGBT persons, allies, queer families, transgender persons, bisexuals, young adults and queers on campus. Attendees can also create their own affinity group. T-shirts with logo for sale After the first day of conference activities, organizers have planned an evening of socializing and Affirm United T-shirts, featuring the entertainment at the Together in Toronto Coffee House. group’s new rainbow logo on a black This open‐microphone event will be emceed by Jan Braun, a queer Mennonite author and spoken‐word artist background, are now for sale by mail. On the back of from Winnipeg. Jan will also perform some of her the t-shirt are the words "Affirming Ministries - original work. Communautes Inclusives" (in a circle, with the middle On the second night of the conference, two gifted – filled with image of three stylized figures linking and spirited – queer performers will entertain. The incisively witty singer/songwriter Evalyn Parry will arms in front of a cross). perform poetic commentaries and boldly satirical songs. Youths: $14. All others: $22 (sm, med, lg, XL, 2XL, & Soul‐stirring jazz singer/songwriter Kenny Kirkwood 3XL). Postage cost is not included and will depend on and his band will offer catchy rhythms and sultry the size of the package and the shipping address. sounds. To order, send address, quantity and T-shirt size(s), At the lunch Saturday, conference attendees can enjoy an open‐air barbeque to the sounds of one of and a cheque made out to Affirm United, to Ken De- Toronto’s many Caribbean steel bands. That evening Lisle, 125 Furby St.,Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2A4. boasts the conference’s gala reception and dance party. An invoice for postage will be included with the Each morning and evening organizers have shipment. scheduled intimate and facilitated worship opportunities T-shirts will also be for sale at the and time to walk a labyrinth. Attendees can also take part in some of the organized sports activities. As the Together in Toronto conference. conference takes place at the University of Toronto,

spring 2006 consensus 3 New Brunswick, who shared emotional and Glen Rhodes encouraging stories of his life of leadership in PFLAG (Parents and Friends of celebrates 10 Lesbians and Gays). Hay is a retired United Church minister, religion professor, years as and member of the Order of Canada. Rainbows and strawberries adorn the re- ception table at Glen Rhodes United Sunday morning’s Church. Affirming worship included greetings from United Church representatives. Eldon Hay preached and the congregation committed itself to congregation another 10 years on the path to justice.

eople from the Greater Toronto Area and beyond enjoyed a Feb.18 concert kicking off the celebration of Glen Rhodes United Church’s 10th anniversary as an Affirming congregation in PToronto. Metropolitan Flowers, fruit, and candles bedecked the communion table, and The Shower of Stoles display featured at Affirm United’s 2005 conference made for a United enjoys 7 visual feast. Broadway tunes, gospel, inspirational, and easy sounds led to the finale, Bette Midler’s “From a Affirming years By GRAHAM DOWN etropolitan United Church in Toronto has been an Affirming congregation since 1999. This well‐known, old downtown church is within walking distance of the gay village, andM includes in its congregation many GLBTT worshippers. Metropolitan’s participation in Pride Parades makes it clear that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual people are welcome here. And they have come! We don’t have an exact count of how many, but there has been a steady stream and many have become members. GLBTT folk participate in all aspects of Met’s work, their many talents enriching the church. Our straight minister has changed gradually over the years into an accepting, understanding pastor who loves and enjoys the diversity in his flock. Our gay Eldon Hay speaks at Glen Rhodes United Church on its 10th anniversary as an minister, both caring and innovative, has captured the Affirming hearts of the congregation. He acts as resource to the outside GLBTT community, welcoming them in, and time and again setting them to work! Both ministers perform same‐sex marriages, and we now have a number of couples who were married here. Distance,” a joint number with Glen Rhodes’ choir. A In fact, one member of Metropolitan’s ministry team time for personal greetings followed, from folk present recently officiated at the same‐sex wedding of the other and absent. Written greetings were read and placed in an team member. It seemed the whole congregation joined album to share during the reception. in, attending both ceremony and reception. The diversity we have gained since becoming Affirming The celebration’s special guest was Eldon Hay of seven years ago is a joy to us all.

4 consensus spring 2006 facilitates and supports learning, growth and transformation. Calling Lakes Centre intentionally Two more welcomes all people regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, ethnic background or economic circumstance.” conference centres declared Affirming Bedford United ministries becomes Affirming he Five Oaks Conference Centre officially became an Affirming ministry on April 2. Ron congregation Coughlin and Edward Avey presented a certificate on behalf of Affirm United. T Five Oaks is a United Church educational and edford United Church in Bedford, Nova Scotia, retreat centre that offers programs, provides for personal became an Affirming congregation at a May 7 and congregational retreats, and hosts a variety of church service attended by between 300 and 400 and community groups. Five Oaks is situated on 116 community members and guests from the acres of Carolinian forest near Paris, Ontario. HalifaxB regional municipality and beyond.

Ann Hebb, chair of Bedford United’s Affirming Congregation Committee, reports the congregation received best wishes from other United Churches as well as from MP Geoff Regan (Halifax West), “who has been supportive of our congregation and same‐gender marriages.”

Alan Stewart, a member of St. Johnʹs United From left: Mardi Tindal (Five Oaks staff), Bob LePage (chair of the Five Oaks Church in Halifax, presented a certificate from Affirm Board), United. Edward Avey (Affirm United Council member), and Ron Coughlin (Affirm United The Bedford United Church mission statement reads in part:

PCTC ‐ Calling Lake Centre We the people of Bedford United Church declare publicly (formerly the Prairie Christian our commitment to creating a community where all people Training Centre) was also recently are welcome regardless of age, gender, race, sexual declared an Affirming ministry. orientation, gender identity, differing abilities, ethnic Calling Lake is a fully accredited background or economic circumstance. United Church centre. It nurtures growth in individuals, congregations, All persons are welcome to take part in every aspect of and communities through programs, church life including membership, leadership, celebrating retreats and hospitality. Located on the north shore of life passages and marriage.

Echo Lake in Saskatchewan’s QuʹAppelle Valley, the We celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our Centre provides a peaceful yet accessible “getaway” for church, even as it challenges us. We pray for God’s spirit retreats, workshops and conferences. to guide us as we work for reconciliation and justice for all The Centre’s web site states that it “stands with persons in both church and society. those who seek justice and resist evil. It encourages,

spring 2006 consensus 5 denomination varies slightly in different Second United counts, there are between 5,700 and 5,800 full‐ standing churches, of which 585 are listed as Open and Affirming Church theological This result has been some time in coming. The 1985 General Synod of UCC adopted an college becomes an Open and Affirming resolution, which began this denomination‐wide witness to inclusion, affirmation, and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/same‐ Affirming ministry gender‐loving (lgbt/sgl) persons. Coalition staff have “high hopes that it wonʹt be another 20 years before we he Centre for Christian Studies is the second can say 20 per cent of our churches are listed as Open theological school to join the Affirming and Affirming.” ministries program. The Centre is a joint United In contrast, of the 2,299 local pastoral charges in The Church and Anglican college based in United Church of Canada, 29 have officially been TWinnipeg, which trains students for diaconal and declared Affirming congregations, a figure that translates educational ministries. In December 2004, the Central into barely more than one per cent. Affirm United’s Council of the Centre for Christian Studies accepted the Affirming Congregation Program was launched 14 years recommendation of a task group that had worked for ago, in the summer of 1992. several months reviewing the history of the college’s actions in relation to sexual orientation. A decision was made to become an Affirming ministry of The United Church of Canada and the United Churchʹs Affirm United and a Proud Anglican Institution, becoming a Affirming congregations member of Integrity, an organization related to the Anglican Church of Canada. A celebration of the new are a witness to memberships coincided with the annual service of justice and inclusion celebration in May 2006. The task group continues to meet to identify what Affirming Congregations are local churches, further work needs to be undertaken to ensure that CCS organizations or ministries within the United Church of continues to strive for sexual and gender justice. Canada that: People applying for staff positions and for ∙ Welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and admission as students are informed about the CCS policy transgendered people and their families in all statements regarding sexual orientation. Curriculum aspects of church or group life requirements include sexuality, sexual orientation, ∙ Promote reconciliation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, pastoral care in the context of diverse family and and transgendered people in church and society partnership models, the social construction of gender and ∙ Minister to and with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and sexual identity, sexual abuse, boundaries, and transgendered people. professional ethics. ∙ Make a public statement of welcome and The United Theological College in Montreal is the inclusion. only other one of the 13 United Church theological Is your congregation welcoming of all people, colleges to be an Affirming ministry. regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity? If so, it is important to make a public statement of inclusion, to counteract the negative messages about homosexuality that GLBT people receive from so many religious groups. Your witness to justice and inclusion serves as a U.S. denomination is model and inspiration for other churches. Contact the Affirming ministry program co‐chairs (see page 11) for 10% Affirming more information. ome 10 per cent of the congregations in the United Share your stories Church of Christ are officially Open and Consensus is always looking for stories about things that Affirming, according to staff of the United Church congregations are doing to promote justice and inclusion of Christ Open and Affirming Coalition. for GLBT people. Send your stories to Consensus at 1120 S Moselle Cres., Ottawa, K1C 2T2, or by e‐mail to While the official number of churches in this U.S. [email protected].

6 consensus spring 2006 Here’s how my minister friend Mac reacted to his first same-sex wedding encounter

By ELDON HAY tables. There was that nervous, kind of excited chatter Beatrice Breau and Suzanna Norman became life partners on that goes on, in anticipation of the wedding. Oct. 8, 2005, at a wedding at which I officiated in New One of the brides got there about 30 or 40 minutes Maryland, New Brunswick, Rev. Malcolm (Mac) Campbell before the ceremony started. And she walked around and was delighted to accept my invitation to assist, since his own paced and she made a lot of nervous and not very funny Marysville and Penniac congregations were in the preliminary little jokes. She was out the back door for a cigarette stages of considering whether to approve same‐sex marriage about every five minutes; and she was into the ceremonies. The following article is an edited excerpt from a washroom 15 times in 10 minutes. She acted for all the sermon Mac preached in his own congregations eight days after world like almost every groom I ever saw waiting for his the wedding. wedding. The other bride came in, and the ceremony began. “God was there” The liturgy was quite familiar; it had some lovely language in it, but quite familiar. Indeed, it was clear that Reflections on a lesbian wedding in New Brunswick these two people were deeply committed to sharing their By Malcolm Campbell lives with each other. Both in their mid‐ to late forties, the

brides had been around enough to get their feet well uite often, we see God’s back. We see where anchored on the ground. They knew why they were God has just been. And that’s really our there, they knew what they were there for, and nothing encounter with God. Sometimes we’re aware of else really mattered to them at that point. Q it at the time. Most often it’s just after it They wanted to make a public commitment of happens, or sometimes quite a while after it happens. It is themselves to each other and to have God be a part of on reflection that we realize God was there. So that’s why that covenant. They were very serious and very clear it happened the way it did. about that, and the rest of the stuff, like room

decorations, didn’t matter. In fact, the only decoration The reason this passage speaks to me so strongly obviously came with the venue; it was a massive moose right now comes from an head hanging on the wall event that I took part in It was quite delightful to see the guests focus so a week ago last night. intently on what was happening. Members of the brides’ On that occasion I was community invited by a colleague, had Eldon Hay (who some of gathered you may know is a there retired United Church because minister in the Sackville they cared area) to assist him in about these officiating at a wedding two between two women. It people, and was held in the Oakland by their Park Lodge in New presence Suzanne Norman and Eldon Hay Maryland. were Suzanna Norman, Eldon Hay, Beatrice Breau, Mac committing

themselves to honour and Let me tell you just a little bit about what that support the covenant that these two were Saturday evening was like. entering into, with God. It was everything that you hope In some ways, it was no different from dozens of a wedding will be. weddings I’ve done over the years. It had the crowd of I realized both at the time and in reflection people, maybe 30 or 40 people in this case, who sort of afterward “God was there” almost visibly. God was trickled in about half an hour before the wedding. The there. And I felt how we encounter God or we see God’s reception was a pot luck supper held in the same back, if you will, among the people who are outside the building, so the guests brought food and set up the mainstream. How often that happens.

spring 2006 consensus 7 awake as the endocrine system begins producing the estrogens and androgens required in the maturation Sex and sexuality— process. Thus the brain is 95 per cent hard‐wired as to sex, gender, and gender identity by the time the baby is born. nature or nuture? A child’s brain can be nurtured in the way it learns and By RUTH BRAMHAM absorbs knowledge, but identity is fixed. Yet society still has its mind set on a strict binary gender construct: You ast year my boss’s daughter asked me to review are one or the other. her term paper for a course on human sexuality Unfortunately, in one of about 4,000 births, the from a feminist viewpoint. I was pretty well on genitals give false or inconclusive information about board with her until the last sentence, “We all gender, just as you cannot tell the baby’s sexual haveL to realize that gender is made not born.” orientation at birth. We do not choose our sexual I thought my response would interest the readers of orientation. We are who we are in all senses right from Consensus. the first trimester of foetal development: Heterosexual, Genetic research over the past 20 years has pretty homosexual, bisexual, asexual. And it cannot be changed, well lain to rest the idea that our minds and thought only suppressed—at great emotional expense. processes are all the same as we come out of our mother’s Sexuality is not clear cut, nor is it a continuum— womb. During the three trimesters of foetal male to female, masculine to feminine, heterosexual development, just as the body is developing, so is the to homosexual. For example (using the male): At brain. Hormones—and when they are released by the one extreme is the Alpha male, excess testosterone, mother’s endocrine system—have a significant effect on aggressive, arrogant, God’s gift to women—he thinks. At how both body and brain develop. the other end, the timid male, short on the “T,” afraid of his own shadow, blushes in the presence of women. Is he homosexual? Possibly, but probably not. The Alpha male could be homosexual—God’s gift to fellow man. You What is in question is the cannot tell a person’s sexuality at a glance; just as you cannot tell who is likely to beat up women. The timid behaviour and how well the man with all his insecurities is just as likely a suspect as the Alpha male. male has learned to control In both cases their gender is indisputable—male. What’s in question is the behaviour and how well the himself. male has learned to control himself. The only component of the gender equation that is on the nurture side is self control, one nine attributes (fruits of the spirit) for a good Science has shown that male and female brains are Christian. (Galatians 5:16‐26.) very different in some ways, affecting how we learn, react, and define ourselves as male or female, masculine Ruth Bramham is Affirm United’s transgender contact. See the or feminine. The very young child does this by instinct, Affirm United Leadership Team page for her coordinates. as a result of brain signals responding to internal programming, not environmental stimuli. By age three, a child has a sense of both gender and See Page 2 for information on the upcoming Trans- gender identity, even though the child doesn’t gender Conference in Oregon: understand the differences. As vocabulary and ability to absorb information increases, the child becomes more self‐aware. Actually understanding the differences Interfaith Conference— between the sexes doesn’t kick in until around age five, beginning with the physical. Transforming Faith: Children struggle with emotional and psychological differences well into their teens, particularly if there is a A Transgender Witness conflict between sex, sexual orientation, and perceived gender identity. Finally, in their immediate pre‐teen October 21-22, 2006, years, children become aware of their own sexuality. Hormones begin to work their magic as the body First United Methodist Church, develops. The brain’s semi‐dormant receptors are jolted Corvallis, Oregon

8 consensus spring 2006 38 years old. In her too‐short life she had worked as a minister, prison chaplain, and editor of Gathering (a Those United Church worship resource). She had written many hymns and fought for human rights. Her blessing rests upon us; her life is memory. hearts There was a death in our own family this week— that of my sister‐in‐law, Marti. Like Sylvia’s death, it was a tragic and too‐early death. It was different though, because Marti’s death was complicated by addiction and that we mental illness. Which makes it harder to discern the hope, the blessing. Memories are more muddled, emotions more complex. But writing this, re‐reading have Sylvia’s hymn (which I had planned to use for this article even before Marti’s sudden death) makes me wonder about Marti’s legacy. Certainly, her suffering, which was treasured intense, is now over. Certainly, she was much loved. But addiction distorted everything, making it hard to find the t the beginning of the Easter season this year, truth, the goodness, the blessing. we sang one of Sylvia Dunstan’s hymns in Hard, but not impossible. For in Marti’s life, as with church. Though I love many of Sylvia’s Sylvia’s, her very presence brought injustice and hymns, I had not sung this one before. It prejudice into the spotlight. When I first met Sylvia, I had Aseemed somehow ironic to be singing this hymn of to confront the prejudices of my own internalized memorial, her hymn of memorial, in an Affirming homophobia and my fears of having to look at my own congregation. I wonder how many people even know she sexual orientation. When I first met Marti, I had to was gay, was one of the pioneers. confront my attitudes and prejudices about addiction. I Sylvia left a treasured legacy of hymns behind, 13 of had to rethink what I thought I knew. I had to learn them in Voices United, but she left more than that. Sylvia tolerance. I began to pay attention to the injustices— was one of the forerunners in the struggle for GLBT attitudes that write off those who suffer from addiction, rights in the United Church. As such, all the changes that ridiculously long wait times for those seeking treatment, have taken place in church and society are part of her lack of social support, social stigma, shame and blame. legacy. As I grew to know and to love Marti, I was forced to Sylvia is the first gay minister I knew. I met her in confront my own judgemental attitudes. Marti accepted 1981, when she was newly ordained and serving as me into her family without reservation; it took me much minister in a congregation Maritime Conference. What longer to accept her. There is pain in this can I say about her? She had presence; she was acknowledgement, but also blessing. Perhaps it can help courageous, outspoken, and controversial even for those me better understand why some in our churches are so controversial times. She scared me a little, because her slow to let go of prejudices towards GLBTs. very presence foreboded change—in my life, in all our Probably Marti knew I was slow to learn compassion, but lives. I didn’t always agree with her, but I knew and she was patient. And we had a little time. I am grateful respected her passionate commitment to the United for that, and for her blessing which does indeed rest Church, to her faith, and to gay rights. She was one of upon us.

Those Hearts that We Have Treasured

I had to rethink Those hearts that we have treasured, what I thought I knew. Those lives that we have shared, I had to learn tolerance. Those loves that walked beside us, Those friends for whom we’ve cared, Their blessing rests upon us, those whose very presence in ministry jolted the church Their life is memory, to new awareness. She was there, and, like it or not, the Their suffering is over, church had to deal with her. Their spirits are set free. Sylvia died on July 25, 1993, almost four months to the day of her being diagnosed with liver cancer. She was

spring 2006 consensus 9 Affirm United Membership Is your membership up-to-date? JOIN RENEW MAKE A DONATION! It’s easy. Just complete the form below and send a cheque payable to Affirm United to:

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I cannot afford the membership fee right now. Please accept my contribution of $ Affirm United/ and continue to send me your mailings. S’affirmer ensemble P.O. Box 57057, Please remove me from your mailing list. Somerset Station Ottawa ON K1R 1A1 I wish to be contacted by a member of An Affirm United ministry or group near my home. www.affirmunited.ca consensus Affirm United Co-Chairs Members at Large Sally Harris Edward Avey 1805 Larch St, Vancouver, BC V6K 3N9 310 Cromwell St, London, ON N6A 1Z6 Phone: (778) 889-5797 Email: [email protected] Phone: (519) 432-7461 or (519) 238-2220 Email: [email protected] Wilson MacLennan 12119-58th St. NW, Edmonton, AB T5W 3X5 Marcie Gibson Phone: (780) 479-2584 547 Saint-Remi St, Montreal, QC H4C 3G4 Email: [email protected] Phone: (514) 933-8270 Email: [email protected] Secretary Laura Fouhse Nicole Hamel 301 G Weston St. 181, Avenue du lac est Winnipeg, MB R3E 3H4 Stoneham, QC G0A 4P0 Phone: (204) 956-2904 [email protected] [email protected] Roy Holton Treasurer 6 Cambridge St, Cambridge, ON N1R 3R6 Ken DeLisle Phone: (519) 621-6060 437 River St W, Prince Albert, SK S6V 2Z4 Email: [email protected] Office: (306) 763-8695, Home: (306) 922-2946 Email: [email protected] Seminarian Contact Anne Hines Membership Co-ordinator Phone: (416) 485-4551 Read Sherman Email: [email protected] 660 MacLaren St, Ottawa, ON K1R 5L2 Phone: (613) 233-0327 Transgender Contact Email: [email protected] Ruth Bramham 4635 Regents Terrace, Unit 37, Education Resource Co-ordinator Mississauga, ON., L5R 1X5 Brian Mitchell-Walker Phone: (905) 890-6358 418A McDonald St, Regina, SK S4N 6E1 Email: [email protected] Phone: (306) 721-3311 Email: [email protected] Affirming Ministries Program Co-chairs Brian Mitchell-Walker and Liz Carter Communications Co-ordinator c/o Brian Mitchell-Walker Michael MacEachen 418A McDonald St, Regina, SK S4N 6E1 1888 Victoria St, Unit 6 Phone: (306) 721-3311 Montreal, QC J4V 1M5 Email (Brian): [email protected] (450) 465-1677 Email (Liz): [email protected] Email: [email protected] Consensus Editor Alyson Huntly 1120 Moselle Cres, Ottawa, ON K1C 2T2 Phone: (613) 841-2354 Email: [email protected]

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Affirm United website: www.affirmunited.ca

spring 2006 consensus 11 THE AFFIRMING MINISTRIES OF AFFIRM UNITED WORK FOR INCLUSION AND JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL SEXUAL ORIENTA- TIONS AND GENDER IDENTITIES WITHIN THE UNITED CHURCH

Augustine United Church, Winnipeg 1470 Gerrard St. E, Toronto, ON (418) 692-3422 444 River Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0C7 M4L 2A3 (204) 284-2250 (416) 465-3755 St. Thomas-Wesley United Church, Saskatoon Bathurst United Church, Toronto Harcourt Memorial United Church, Guelph 808-20th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Y3 427 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7 87 Dean Ave., (306) 244-7676 (416) 921-4967 Guelph, ON N1G 1L3 (519) 824-4177 Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, Bedford United Church, Bedford Edmonton 1200 Bedford Hwy, Immanuel United Church, Winnipeg 10740-19 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6J 6W9 Bedford, NS B4A 1C3 755 Golspie St., (780) 435-2028 (902) 835-8497 Winnipeg, MB R2K 2V4 (204) 669-0220 Sydenham Street United Church, Kingston Bloor Street United Church, Toronto 82 Sydenham St, Kingston, ON K7L 3H4 300 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W3 Kamloops United Church, Kamloops (613) 542-9616 (416) 924-7439 421 St. Paul St., Kamloops, BC V2C 2J7 (250) 372-3020 Tatamagouche Centre Cambrian Presbytery, Northwestern On- RR 3, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0 tario Metropolitan United Church, Toronto (902) 657-2231 310 Park Ave., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6C8 56 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3 (807) 345-3916 (416) 363-0331 Trinity United Church, Vancouver 1805 Larch St, Vancouver, BC V6K 3N9 Centre for Christian Studies Peterborough and Area Affirm United (778) 889-7324 Woodsworth House, 60 Maryland St. c/o St. Andrew’s United Church Winnipeg, MB R3G 1K7 441 Rubidge St., Peterborough, ON Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, Toronto (204) 783-4490 K9H 4E4 427 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X9 (705) 745-2722 (o) (705) 741-4271 (h) (416) 922-8435 Centenary United Church, Hamilton 24 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8P 1H2 PCTC-Calling Lakes Centre Union Church, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (905) 522-6843 Box 159, Fort Qu’Appelle, SK S0G 1S0 24 Maple Ave, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC (306) 332-5691 H9X 2E6 Centenary-Queen Square United Church, (514) 457-5819 Saint John Rainbow Ministry, Winnipeg Presbytery 215 Wentworth St, Saint John, NB E2L 2T4 301-G Weston St., Winnipeg, MB United Theological College / (506) 634-8288 R3E 3H4 Le Séminaire Uni, Montreal (204) 954-2904 3521 University Ave, Montreal, QC Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church, H3A 2A9 Toronto Rosedale-Queen Mary United Church, (514) 849-2042 214 Wright Ave., Toronto, ON M6R 1L3 Montreal (416) 536-1755 6870 Terrebonne Ave., Montreal,QC Wesley United Church, Cambridge H4B 1C5 6 Cambridge St, Cambridge, ON N1R 3R6 First United Church, Ottawa (514) 484-9969 (519) 621-6060 397 Kent St., Ottawa, ON K2P 2B1 (613) 232-1016 St. James United Church, Regina Westminster United Church, Waterloo 4506 Sherwood Dr., Regina, SK 543 Beechwood Dr, Waterloo, ON First United Church, Salmon Arm S4R 4B4 N2T 2G7 PO Box 940, Salmon Arm, BC (306) 543-2626 (519) 746-6080 V1E 4P1 (250) 832-3860 Église unie Saint-Jean, Montréal Young United Church, Winnipeg 110, Rue Ste-Catherine est, Montréal, QC 222 Furby St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2A7 First United Church, Vancouver H2X 1K7 (204) 783-0128 320 East Hastings St., Vancouver, BC (514) 866-0641 V6A 1P4 (604) 681-8365 St. John's United Church, Marathon PO Box 698, Birch St., Marathon, ON Five Oaks United Church Education and P0T 2E0 Retreat Centre, Paris (807) 229-1031 R.R. 3, Paris, ON N3L 3E3 Eglise unie Saint-Pierre, Québec (519) 442-3212 78, Rue Sainte-Ursule, Québec, QC Glen Rhodes United Church, Toronto G1R 4E8

12 consensus spring 2006